SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 27, 2024 – The city of Bonn, Germany, is set to host the inaugural "Days of Exile" festival from August 30 to September 14, 2024. This groundbreaking event, organized by the Körber Foundation and the City of Bonn, will feature over 40 diverse events across 27 locations, exploring the multifaceted experiences of exile through exhibitions, readings, theater performances, films, lectures, workshops, and concerts.
The festival aims to amplify the voices of individuals forced to leave their homelands due to their commitment to democracy and human rights, shedding light on both historical and contemporary experiences of exile. By fostering dialogue and understanding between long-term residents and newcomers, the Days of Exile seeks to strengthen social cohesion and promote a more inclusive society.
Opening Ceremony and Keynote Address
The festival will kick off on August 30 at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn with an opening ceremony featuring Mayor Katja Dörner and Dr. Lothar Dittmer, Chairman of the Körber Foundation. Renowned South African writer and poet Christopher Hope, himself an exile due to his criticism of the apartheid regime, will deliver the keynote "Speech on Exile." A subsequent panel discussion will delve deeper into the complexities of displacement and resilience, featuring representatives from organizations such as the UNO Refugee Agency.
Diverse Program Highlights
The Days of Exile program offers a rich tapestry of cultural and educational experiences. On September 1, the Theater Marabu will host "Hast du schon gehört" ("Have You Heard?"), a musical theater performance that playfully examines the dynamics of prejudice and conspiracy theories, often precursors to exclusion and exile. A family workshop will follow the performance.
From September 5, "The Singing and Greening Box" will transform the forecourt of the Theater Bonn into a resonant space for songs, mini-operas, poems, and stories about exile and persecution. Visitors are invited to actively contribute to the creation of this living archive.
The Center for City History and Remembrance Cultures Bonn will offer guided tours of the Windeckbunker on September 8, 11, and 13. This former air-raid shelter is slated to become a Forum for Exile Culture, a vibrant hub for exploring historical and contemporary experiences of exile.
The festival will conclude on September 14 with a performance by the band "MASAA" at the Pantheon Theater, as part of the Beethovenfest.
A Platform for Dialogue and Understanding
The Days of Exile Bonn is more than just a series of events; it is a platform for dialogue, reflection, and collective action. By providing a space for exiled individuals to share their stories and perspectives, the festival aims to foster empathy, understanding, and solidarity. Through its diverse program, the Days of Exile invites the Bonn community and visitors alike to engage with the complex issues surrounding displacement and to celebrate the resilience and contributions of those who have sought refuge in Germany.
For more information and the full program, please visit the Days of Exile website: www.tagedesexils.de.